Manchester City transfer news: 'He loves Real Madrid and does not hide it' — Former Haaland's boss convinced will join Los Blancos

Erling Haaland is the associated apical scorer of the 2026 World Cup with 7 goals and the antheral who ended Brazil's run successful the circular of 16.

He is also, arsenic helium prepares to participate his 5th play astatine Manchester City, 1 of the astir persistent transportation stories successful satellite football, and his links to Real Madrid person lone intensified during the tournament.

The speculation astir Haaland's aboriginal has grown against a backdrop of important alteration astatine the Etihad. Pep Guardiola's departure and the merchantability of Bernardo Silva person brought to a adjacent an epoch astatine the club, prompting morganatic questions astir whether the Norwegian striker mightiness yet travel them done the exit.

With Real Madrid simultaneously successful modulation — a turbulent statesmanlike predetermination pursuing different title-less play — Haaland's sanction was inevitably drawn into the framework astatine the Bernabeu.

Presidential challenger Enrique Riquelme, who was defeated by Florentino Perez, went arsenic acold arsenic to committedness helium would motion Haaland if elected.

'He loves Real Madrid and does not fell it'

Speaking to AS, Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke, who worked intimately with Haaland during his formative years astatine the club, was unusually candid connected the subject.

'He loves Real Madrid and does not fell it,' Watzke said. 'I deliberation helium volition play determination successful 2 oregon 3 years, but not immoderate sooner. He has not committed himself to anyone, conscionable arsenic his begetter has said.'

The comments transportation a grade of authority. Watzke knows Haaland well, and his assurance successful the result — adjacent arsenic helium makes wide this summertime is not the close moment, was notable.

Speaking to DAZN ahead of the Norway versus Brazil match, Haaland's begetter Alf-Inge was characteristically cautious connected the taxable — but did not slam immoderate doors shut.

'I bash not privation to speech excessively overmuch astir options astatine different clubs,' helium said. 'He is blessed astatine City, helium has a agelong contract. But each subordinate wants to play for Real Madrid.'

A communicative that goes backmost to Haaland's teenage years

The links betwixt Haaland and Real Madrid are not a caller development. According to AS, Real Madrid were already monitoring him erstwhile helium was 17 years old, lone for RB Salzburg to motion him for astir £7m.

His estimation astatine Valdebebas has ne'er faded since. The nine is said to person followed his advancement from the infinitesimal helium archetypal emerged astatine Molde arsenic a 16-year-old.

Haaland is contracted to Manchester City until 2034 successful what is understood to beryllium the club's astir lucrative deal, stretching crossed 8 seasons. The statement besides reportedly includes an assurance that the squad volition beryllium built astir him. City person consistently denied reports of immoderate merchandise clause successful the contract.

For now, the Etihad holds each the cards, and Haaland himself shows nary motion of agitating for a move. But arsenic Watzke makes plain, the communicative is not over.